Need a surefire way to fill your bar? Explore 100+ text templates for promoting happy hour deals and special events. Harness SMS’s immediacy to hook guests, boost attendance, and deliver unforgettable dining experiences every time. Let’s toast to more success & sizzling nights!

Given the immediacy and high open rates of text messages, your announcements won’t vanish into spam folders or be buried under social media algorithms. Instead, your target audience will see these promotions in near real-time, allowing them to act quickly on time-sensitive deals. From unveiling new cocktail recipes to advertising weekend DJ sessions, SMS makes sure you’re always top-of-mind when customers are deciding where to spend their money (and their time).

In this blog post, we’ll provide 100+ SMS marketing templates curated specifically for promoting happy hour deals and special events at your restaurant or bar. We’ll also discuss best practices such as personalization, scheduling, compliance, and how to craft enticing calls to action. Whether you run a trendy rooftop lounge or a cozy neighborhood pub, these templates will help you amplify excitement, fill your seats, and create memorable experiences for your guests.

Why SMS for Happy Hour & Events

1. Real-Time Promotion
   Happy hour typically has a short window, and special events often rely on a sense of anticipation or urgency. SMS’s near-instant read rate (often above 90% within minutes) is perfect for last-minute reminders and same-day promotional nudges.
2. Personal Touch
   Messages are delivered right to your audience’s phones, making them feel exclusive and invited. A direct invitation often drives higher engagement than a generic social media post.
3. Boost Attendance & Revenue
   By regularly promoting happy hour or events, you can turn slow days into bustling ones, improve table turnover, and increase average order values through add-on sales (like signature cocktails or event-themed appetizers).
4. Lower Marketing Costs
   Compared to traditional advertising methods or even pay-per-click campaigns, SMS marketing is typically more budget-friendly. You reach the people who have explicitly opted in, resulting in a higher chance of conversion.

Best Practices for Event & Happy Hour SMS Campaigns

• Segment Your Audience: If your restaurant caters to different demographics (e.g., families vs. young adults), segment your SMS list. Send family-oriented promotions earlier in the evening, while late-night announcements might resonate with a younger crowd.
• Timing Is Everything: For a Friday evening happy hour, consider texting on Friday late morning or early afternoon. For a special event on Saturday, start teasing it on Monday or Tuesday, then do a reminder blast on Friday.
• Include a Clear CTA: Use phrases like “Reply YES to book a seat,” “Click here to RSVP,” or “Show this text to redeem.”
• Avoid Over-Sending: Keep a consistent but moderate frequency to prevent opt-outs.
• Track & Measure: Unique coupon codes or short links (with analytics) can help you measure redemption rates.

 

100+ Happy Hour & Special Event SMS Templates

1. Happy Hour Announcements

1. Basic Happy Hour Intro
• “Cheers! Join our daily Happy Hour from 5–7 PM for half-priced drinks. Show this text for a free appetizer sampler.”
2. Cocktail Feature
• “Sip, sip, hooray! Our mixologist just unveiled a new cocktail. Enjoy it at 2-for-1 prices tonight from 5–7 PM!”
3. Midweek Wind-Down
• “Beat the midweek blues! Drop by [Restaurant] for $5 margaritas and free chips & salsa, 4–6 PM on Wednesdays.”

1. Weekend Happy Hour

1. Friday Fun

• “Kick off the weekend right! Happy Hour from 4–8 PM with 2-for-1 draft beers and half-price wings.”

1. Saturday Special

• “Saturdays are for celebrations! Enjoy 25% off all cocktail pitchers. Bring friends for group deals, 5–7 PM.”

1. Sunday Funday

• “Sip & relax! Unwind with our Sunday Funday special: buy one mimosa, get one 50% off from 12–3 PM.”

1. One-Off Live Music & Entertainment

1. Live Band Teaser

• “Tonight at [Restaurant]: The JazzMates perform live from 8 PM. Arrive before 7 for Happy Hour pricing!”

1. DJ Night

• “Ready to dance? Our guest DJ spins at 9 PM—show this text before 8 PM for free cover and a half-price appetizer!”

1. Karaoke Invitation

• “Karaoke Fridays start at 8 PM! Grab the mic & belt out your favorite tunes. First drink is on us if you arrive before 7.”

1. Themed Parties & Seasonal Events

1. Summer Luau

• “Aloha, [Name]! Join our Summer Luau Party—tropical drinks, Hawaiian pizza, and limbo contests from 6 PM onward. Wear a lei for a free drink!”

1. Halloween Bash

• “Spooktacular Halloween Party at [Restaurant] this Saturday! Costumes get you 20% off. Don’t miss our scary-good cocktails!”

1. Christmas Carol Night

• “Tis the season! Come to our festive Carol Night—enjoy holiday-themed drinks, gingerbread bites, and live music from 7 PM.”

 

1. Pop-Ups & Limited-Time Events

1. Chef’s Table Tasting

• “Exclusive Chef’s Table this Friday! Limited seats. Reply YES to reserve your spot and enjoy a curated tasting menu.”

1. Pop-Up Collaboration

• “We’ve teamed up with [Local Brewery] for one night only! Grab limited-edition craft beer & special tapas pairings, 6–9 PM.”

1. Charity Night

• “Dine for a cause! 10% of tonight’s proceeds go to [Charity]. Join us 5–9 PM and help make a difference.”

1. High-End or Ticketed Events

1. Exclusive Wine Tasting

• “Fine Wine Wednesday: Sample 5 premium labels with curated cheese pairings. Tickets: $40. Reply WINE to book.”

1. Valentine’s Dinner Package

• “Spoil your sweetheart! 4-course Valentine’s dinner + champagne for two at $99. Reserve now—limited seats available.”

1. NYE Party

• “Ring in the New Year at [Restaurant]! Enjoy a 4-course meal, champagne toast, and live DJ. RSVP by 12/28 for 10% off.”

 

1. Follow-Up or Last-Minute Prompts

1. Pre-Event Reminder

• “Hey [Name], our Trivia Night starts in 2 hours! Arrive early for a free appetizer. Ready to compete?”

1. Final Call

• “It’s almost showtime! Doors close in 30 minutes for our live music event. Hurry down to grab a table!”

1. Event Extension

• “Good news! Our Happy Hour just got extended by 30 minutes. Swing by soon for discounted cocktails.”

Implementation Tips for Happy Hour & Events

1. Automate Reminders: Use your SMS marketing platform to schedule automated reminders 24 hours and 2 hours before an event. This ensures attendees don’t forget.
2. Use Eye-Catching Keywords: Encourage diners to reply with simple keywords like “VIP,” “PARTY,” or “BOOK” to confirm attendance or learn more details.
3. Cross-Promote on Social & Email: Mention your SMS-exclusive deals in your emails or social posts. This pushes fans from other channels to opt in for your text updates.
4. Leverage Rich Media (MMS): If your platform supports MMS, send a quick video snippet of the live band or a photo of your signature cocktail. Visual teasers can significantly boost interest.
5. Gather Feedback: After each event, send a short feedback request. Over time, you’ll refine your promotions to better meet customer preferences.

Hosting memorable happy hours and special events is a powerful way to increase foot traffic, build brand loyalty, and set your restaurant apart. With SMS marketing, you can instantly tap into your customers’ attention with timely, engaging messages that drive real results—filled seats, lively atmospheres, and happy customers who keep coming back.

The 100+ templates provided here offer a broad palette of ways to excite your audience. Whether it’s a weekly happy hour or a one-time themed party, you now have the tools to craft promotional texts that stand out. Remember to keep messages short, relevant, and well-timed. Test different approaches, measure customer responses, and never underestimate the power of a personal note or an exclusive offer. With consistent effort and creativity, your restaurant will become the go-to spot for both everyday indulgences and those special moments worth celebrating.